Bifurcated valve structure

ABSTRACT

A valve structure for a musical instrument includes a valve body having first and second chambers therein and first and second rotors disposed, respectively, in the first and second chambers. The first chamber includes a first inlet and a first outlet and the second chamber includes a second inlet and a second outlet. A passageway is provided for interconnecting the first and second chambers. The first and second rotors have first and second positions for controlling the flow of sound through the valve structure. The configuration of the valve body is such that the inlets and outlets for each of the chambers are maintained 120* apart to improve the acoustical flow of sound through the valve by maintaining regularly shaped passageways through the valve structure.

I United States Patent 1 [111 3,881,388 McCracken May 6, 1975 [5BIFURCATED VALVE STRUCTURE 3,554,072 1/1971 l-larsbrunner 84/390Inventor: George T Mccracken, Mayfield 3,641,863 2/1972 Kanstul et a184/390 Village, Ohio Primary ExaminerJoseph W. Hartary [73] Assrgnee:King Musical Instruments, Division Assistant v w Miska of the SeeburgCorporation of Attorney, Agent, or FirmMarvin L. Union Delaware,Eastlake, Ohio [22] Filed: Dec. 11, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [2]] Appl' 423733A valve structure for a musical instrument includes a valve body havingfirst and second chambers therein [52] US. Cl 84/388; 84/390 and fir andSecond rotors disposed, respectively, in [51] Int. Cl. G10d 9/04 thefirst and second ch mber The first chamber in- [58] Field of Search84/388-390 cludes a fi inlet n a r t u l nd th e n chamber includes asecond inlet and a second outlet. [56] Ref re c Cit d A passageway isprovided for interconnecting the first UNITED STATES PATENTS and secondchambers. The first and second rotors have first and second positionsfor controlling the flow 84,390 of sound through the valve structure.The configura- 343Z889 6/1886 Conn tion of the valve body is such thatthe inlets and out- 670,365 3/1901 lets for each of the chambers aremaintained 120 1,178,030 4 191 seidel apart to improve the acousticalflow of sound through 1,178,330 4/1916 Maurey 1. the valve bymaintaining regularly shaped passageways 1,72 ,5 8 1 9 C0u uri r--.through the valve structure. 1,823,838 1/1931 Milette 3,175,449 3/ 1965Kravka 84/390 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 58 l- 73 6'6 1 i c g 3 a IBIFURCATED VALVE STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a new and improved valve structure for a musicalinstrument and more particularly, to a valve structure which minimizesacoustical distortion as sound passes through the valve structure.

Valves for controlling the flow of sound through a musical instrumentare known and one of the most commonly utilized valve structure isdisclosed in the Charlton US. Pat. No. 1,708,259 and FIG. 1 hereof. Itcan be seen that the cross-sectional area of the passageways through thevalve is smaller than that of the tubing directing the sound to thevalve. Moreover, the sound must abruptly change directions when passingfrom the tubing through the valve. The reduction of the crosssectionalarea of the flow path for the sound and the abrupt change in directionof the flow path plus the irregularities associated with the contour ofthe flow path diminish the acoustical properties of the valve. Thus, thequality of the tone of the sound directed through the valve decreases.

Attempts to overcome the acoustical deficiencies associated with priorart valves have lead to the design of valves such as disclosed in theKravka US. Pat. No. 3,l75,449. Kravka attempts to design a valve whicheliminates the problems due to irregular passageways through the valveand the abrupt reduction of crosssectional area where the tubing isconnected to the valve. However. valves such as that shown in Kravkatend to be very complex and hence undesirable due to difficultiesencountered when manufacturing such valves and their high costs.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention relates to avalve for use in a musical instrument including a valve body, first andsecond chambers located in a valve body, first and second rotors mountedfor rotation in the first and second chambers, respectively. The valvebody includes a first inlet for directing sound into the first chamber,a first outlet for directing sound out of the first chamber, a secondinlet for directing sound into the second chamber, a second outlet fordirecting sound out of the second chamber and a passageway meansinterconnecting the first and second chambers to provide for the flow ofsound therebetween. The first rotor has a first position providing forthe flow of sound through the first chamber from the first inlet to thepassageway means and a second position providing for the flow of soundthrough the first chamber from the first inlet to the first outlet. Thesecond rotor has a first position providing for the flow of soundthrough the second chamber from the passageway means to the secondoutlet and a second position providing for the flow of sound from thefirst outlet to the second inlet and through the second chamber to thesecond outlet.

Another provision of the present invention is to provide a valve meansfor use in a musical instrument for directing the flow of sound throughone of first and second paths through the instrument. The vahge meansincludes a first chamber, a first rotor disposed in the first chamber, asecond chamber and a second rotor disposed in the second chamber. Thefirst chamber includes a first inlet and first and second outlets andthe second chamber includes first and second inlets and a first outlet.A first connector means is provided to connect the first outlet of thefirst chamber and the first inlet of the second chamber and a secondconnector means is provided for connecting the second outlet of thefirst chamber and the second inlet of the second chamber.

Still another provision of the present invention is to provide a valvemeans for use in a musical instrument as set forth in the precedingparagraph wherein the first and second rotors have a first condition inwhich the first rotor directs sound from the first inlet of the firstchamber to the first outlet of the first chamber and through the firstconnector means and the second rotor directs sound from the first inletof the second chamber to the first outlet of the second chamber. Thefirst and second rotors have a second condition for directing sound fromthe first inlet of the first chamber to the second outlet of the firstchamber and through the second connecting means to the second inlet ofthe second chamber. When the second rotor is in the second conditionsound is directed from the second inlet of the second chamber to thefirst outlet of the second chamber.

A further provision of the present invention is to provide a valve meansfor use in a musical instrument for directing the flow of sound throughthe instrument including a valve body, a chamber located in the valvebody and a rotor disposed in the chamber for directing the flow of soundtherethrough. First, second, and third passageway means are spaced apartapproximately l20 about the valve body for providing for the flow ofsound through the valve body and the chamber. The rotor has a firstposition for providing for the flow of sound through the chamber betweena first pair of the first, second, and third passageways and a secondposition providing for the flow of sound through the chamber and betweena second pair of the first, second, and third passageways. Theconfiguration of the valve body with the passageway means spaced apartl20 improves the acoustical properties of the valve means by maintainingregularly shaped passageways through the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of aprior art valve.

FIG. 2 is an'exploded side view of the valve of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the valve taken approximately along the lines3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along the lines 4-4of FIG. 2 and illustrating the first and second rotors in their firstposition.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating thefirst and second rotors in their second or actuated position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The advantages associated withthe present invention can be better understood by first considering theprior art construction, which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1.The prior art valve 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a valve body 12and a rotor 14 for controlling the flow of sound through the valve body.The valve body 10 includes a pair of inlets l6 and 22 and a pair ofoutlets l8 and 20. When the rotor 14 is in its position illustrated inFIG. 1 sound directed to the inlet 16 will be directed through the bodyof the valve 12 by the rotor 14 to the outlet 18. As is well known inthe art. when the rotor 14 is actuated, the rotor 14 will rotate 90 fromits position shown in FIG. 1. The rotor 14 will then act to direct soundfrom the inlet 16 of the valve 10 to the outlet 20. A passageway in theform of the tubing 24 is provided for connecting the outlet 20 and theinlet 22 in a well known manner. Thus, when the rotor 14 is actuated thesound passing from the outlet 20 will be directed by the tubing 24 tothe inlet 22 where the sound will be directed through the valve body 12by the rotor 14 and through the outlet 18. The passage of sound throughthe loop (not illustrated) formed by the tubing 24 changes the pitch ofthe sound in a well known manner.

It should be appreciated that the construction of the prior art valve 10illustrated in FIG. 1 is such that the cross-sectional area of the flowpath for the sound through the musical instrument decreases as the soundis directed through the valve 10. This can be illustrated by comparingthe cross-sectional area of the tubing 26 which directs the sound to theinlet 16 of the valve with the cross-sectional area of the flow paththrough the valve 10. It can be seen that the tubing 26 is necked downat the point where it is connected to the inlet 16. This provides adecrease in the cross-sectional area of the flow path for the sound.Moreover, since the valve body 12 includes four inlets and outlets, theinlets and outlets are spaced apart around the axis of rotation of therotor 14 by approximately 90. As a result the flow path of the sound asit is directed through the valve 10 is subject to abrupt changes indirections and a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the flow path.The abrupt changes in the direction of the flow path and theirregularities in the flow path such as is caused by the smallerdiameter inlet 16 and outlet 18 affects distortion of the sound as it isdirected through the valve 10. It can also be seen that as the sound isdirected through the valve I the cross-sectional area of the flow pathdecreases as the sound is directed through the inlet 16 and thenincreases again as it passes through the outlet 18. This is caused bythe rotor configuration due to the fact that the rotor 14 must beoperable to control the flow of sound through two inlets and twooutlets. The changes in the cross-sectional area of the flow pathdiminishes the quality of the tone as it passes through the valve.

It can also be seen from the prior art construction illustrated in FIG.1 that the flow path of the sound through the valve is drasticallyaltered by changing the position of the rotor 14. When the rotor is inthe position illustrated in FIG. 1 the sound travels once through thevalve 10 as it is directed from the inlet 16 to the outlet 18. However,when the rotor 14 is actuated and rotated 90 from its positionillustrated in FIG. 1, the flow path of the sound is directed throughthe valve 12 twice, i.e., once from the inlet 16 to the outlet 20 andonce through the inlet 22 to the outlet 18. The passage of the soundtwice through the valve body 12 further diminishes the acousticalproperties of the valve and makes it extremely difficult to compensatefor these diminished acoustical properties due to the fact that when thevalve is in one condition the sound passes through the valve 10 once andwhen the valve is in its actuated condition the sound passes through thevalve body 12 twice. Thus, the compensation procedures to compensate forthe poor acoustical properties of the valve need to be doubled when thevalve is in its actuated position relative to when the valve is in itsunactuated condition as is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The valve 30 of the present invention as is illustrated in FIGS. 2-5attempts to alleviate the detrimental acoustical properties of the priorart valves by maintaining a more nearly uniform cross-sectional area forthe flow path of sound through the instrument and the valve and byreducing the abrupt changes in direction associated with the flow ofsound through the prior art devices. To this end, FIG. 2 illustrates avalve structure 30 which is formed from a first valve case 32 and asecond valve case 34. The valve cases 32 and 34 define chambers 36 and38, respectively, as is more fully illustrated in FIG. 4. The chamber 36includes a rotor 40 disposed therein and the chamber 38 includes a rotor42 disposed therein. The construction and operation of the rotor 42disposed in the chamber 38 is analogous to the construction of the rotor40 disposed in the chamber 36 and accordingly only the construction andoperation of the rotor 42 will be described in detail.

The rotor 42 as is illustrated in FIG. 2 is supported for rotation on avalve stem 44. The bottom end of the valve stem 44 is supported by abearing 46 which is held in place on the lower portion of the valvecasing 34 by a valve cap 48. The valve cap 48 is adapted to bethreadably engaged with the threaded portion 50 disposed on the lowerportion of the valve casing 34. When the valve cap 48 is engaged withthe threaded portion 50 of the casing 34, the valve cap 48 supports thebearing 46 and the rotor 42 within the casing 34. When the rotor 34 isdisposed within the casing 34, the upper portion of the valve stem 44extends through an opening 52 in the upper portion of the valve casing34 and is adapted to engage with an actuator assembly 54. To this endthe upper portion of the valve stem 44 includes a threaded recess 60 forthreadably engaging with the bolt 58 of the actuator assembly 54.

The actuator assembly 54 includes a limit arm 56 which is secured to theupper portion of the valve stem 44 by the bolt 58. Rotation of the limitarm 56 will effect rotation of the rotor 42. A limit plate 62 issuitably secured to the top portion of the casing 48 by a pair of bolts64. The limit plate 62 includes a pair of bumpers 66 and 68 attachedthereto which are operable to limit rotation of the rotor 42. To thisend, the limit arm 56 includes a stop member 70 which is adapted toengage with the bumpers 66 and 68 when the rotor 42 is rotated. Rotationof the rotor 42 and limit arm 56 in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 3 effects engagement of the stop member 70 with thebumper 66 to position the rotor 42 in its position shown in FIG. 4.Actuation of the rotor 42 by the actuator assembly 54 effects rotationof the rotor 42 and the limit arm 56 in a clockwise direction as it isviewed in FIG. 3 to effect engagement of the stop member 70 with thebumper 68. This positions the rotor 42 in its position illustrated inFIG. 5.

The valve casing 32 includes-a similar actuator assembly 72 foreffecting rotation of the rotor 40. The actuator assembly 72 includes alimit arm 74 having a stop member 76 disposed at one end thereof. Alimit plate 78 is suitably secured to the top of the valve casing 34 bythe bolts 80 and includes a pair of bumpers 82 and 84 disposed thereon.The bumpers 82 and 84 cooperate with the stop member 76 to limitrotation of the rotor 40 in the casing 32. When the rotor 40 is in itsunactuated condition, i.e., when it is fully rotated in a clockwisedirection, the stop member 76 engages with the bumper 82 and the rotor40 assumes its position illustrated in FIG. 4. When the rotor 40 isactuated. by rotation of the actuator mechanism 72 in a counterclockwisedirection, the stop member 76 will engage with the bumper 84 to positionthe rotor 40 in its position illustrated in FIG. 5. The positioning ofthe rotors 40 and 42 controls the flow of sound through the valve aswill be described more fully hereinbelow.

A suitable actuator mechanism, not illustrated, can be interconnected tothe actuator assemblies 54 and 72 to control the angular displacement ofthe rotors 40 and 42. The actuator mechanism may be spring loaded tobias the actuator assemblies 54 and 72 to their positions ilustrated inFIG. 3. In this position the actuator mechanism biases the stop member76 in a clockwise direction into engagement with the bumper 82 toposition the rotor 40 in its position illustrated in FIG. 3 and biasesthe stop member 70 in a counterclockwise direction into engagement withthe bumper 66 to position the rotor 42 in its position illustrated inFIG. 3. When the actuator mechanism is actuated by overriding the springforce associated therewith the rotor 40 will be rotated in acounterclockwise direction until the stop member 76 engages with thebumper 84 and the rotor 40 is disposed in its position illustrated inFIG. 5 and the rotor 42 will be rotated in a clockwise direction untilthe stop member 70 engages with the bumper 68 and the rotor 42 isdisposed in its position illustrated in FIG. 5. It should be apparentthat the rotors 40 and 42 will be simultaneously rotated by the actuatormechalllSm.

The valve casing 32 includes a first inlet 90 and a first outlet 92 andthe valve casing 34 includes a second inlet 96 and a second outlet 98.The inlets 90 and 96 and the outlets 92 and 98 have suitable tubeconnectors 94 attached thereto for receiving tubing from the musicalinstrument in a well known manner. A passageway 100 is provided forinterconnecting the chamber 36 disposed in the valve casing 32 and thechamber 38 disposed in the valve casing 34. To this end suitableopenings 102 and 104 are provided in the valve casings 32 and 34,respectively, to enable the passageway 100 to provide communicationbetween the chambers 36 and 38.

When the valve is in its unactuated position the rotors 40 and 42 willbe disposed in their position illustrated in FIG. 4. In this positionthe rotor 40 will direct the flow of sound from the inlet 90 of thecasing 32, through the chamber 36 and through the opening 102 to thepassageway 100. The passageway 100 will then direct the sound throughthe opening 104 in the valve casing 34 and to the chamber 38 where therotor 42 will direct the sound out of the outlet 98 of the valve casing34. When the rotors 40 and 42 are actuated they will assume theirposition illustrated in FIG. 5. In the actuated position the sound willbe directed from the inlet 90 of the valve casing 32 into the chamber 36wherein the rotor 40 will direct the sound out of the outlet 92. Theoutlet 92 of the valve casing 32 is normally connected via tubing, notshown, to the inlet 96 of the casing 34. Thus, sound passing from theoutlet 92 of the valve casing 32 will be directed through the tubing,not illustrated, to the inlet 96 of the casing 34 and into the chamber38. The sound will then be di- 6 rected by the rotor 42 to the outlet 98of the valve casing 34.

The passage of sound through the tubing which connects the outlet 92 andthe inlet 96 will change the pitch of the tone in a well known mannerwhen the valve 30 is actuated. Thus, the valve 30 controls the flow ofsound through a first flow path illustrated in FIG. 4 when it is in itsunactuated condition and through a second flow path, illustrated in FIG.5, when it is in its actuated condition.

It can be seen that each chamber 36, 38 in the valve 30 contains threeopenings therein, i.e., chamber 36 includes openings 90, 92 and 102 andchamber 38 includes openings 104, 96 and 98. This is in contrast to theprior art valves wherein four openings are provided for each chamber.Since only three openings are provided the openings may be arranged 120apart as is illustrated in the Figures. This provides a flow path forthe sound wherein abrupt changes in the direction of the flow path ofthe sound are minimized. This is due to the fact that within each valvecasing 32, 34, the sound never changes direction through an angle morethan 60. Moreover, since three rather than four openings are providedfor each chamber, the cross-sectional configuration of the openings canbe controlled so as to minimize any reduction in the cross-sectionalarea of the flow path into the valve. This eliminates distortion of thesound as it passes through the valve. It should also be apparent thatsince the openings to the chambers in the valve casings 32 and 34 aredisposed 120 apart, the bore through the rotors 40 and 42 can bemaintained the same size as the valve ports and the diameter of thetubing. This, of course, further reduces acoustical irregularities dueto changes in the crosssectional area of the valve.

When sound is directed through the valve 30, the sound always passesonce through the chamber 36 disposed in the casing 32 and once throughthe chamber 38 disposed in the casing 40. This is in contrast to theprior art devices such as illustrated in FIG. I wherein when the valveis in one condition the sound passes through the chamber in the valveonce and when the valve is in another position the sound passes throughone side of the chamber in one direction and then back again through theother side of the chamber in the opposite direction. Accordingly, sincethe sound always passes through the chambers 36 and 38 only once,variances in tone distortion effected by changing the condition of thevalve will be eliminated. In other words, since the sound always flowsthrough the same chambers the same number of times, any distortion whichmight occur in the valve will be uniform regardless of whether the valveis in its actuated or unactuated condition.

While the valve casings 32 and 34 have been illustrated as comprising aunitary valve structure 30, it should be apparent that the passagewaycould be extended so that the valve casings 32 and 34 assume a spacedapart relationship relative to each other.

From the foregoing it should be appreciated that a new and improvedvalve structure for a musical instrument has been provided. The valvestructure includes a pair of valve casings each of which define achamber therein. A rotor is provided in each of the chambers to directthe flow of sound therethrough. The valve includes a first inlet, afirst outlet, a second inlet and a second outlet. A passageway isprovided to interconnect the first and second chambers. The rotors havea first condition in which sound is directed from the first inletthrough the passageway means to the second outlet. The rotors have asecond position in which the flow of sound is directed from the firstinlet to the first outlet and from the first outlet to the second inletand to the second outlet The construction of the valve is such as tomaintain the cross-sectional area of the flow path substantially equalthrough the tubing and the valve while minimizing abrupt changes indirection of the flow path of the sound to thereby provide a valve whicheliminates acoustical irregularities and provides a tone of superiorquality to that known in the prior art.

I now claim:

l. A valve for use in a musical instrument for controlling the flow ofsound through the instrument comprising, a unitary block valve body,first and second chambers adjacently located in said unitary block valvebody, a first valve stem, a first rotor mounted for rotation on saidfirst valve stem in said first chamber, a second valve stem, a secondrotor mounted for rotation on said second valve stem in said secondchamber, a first inlet for directing sound into said unitary block valvebody and into said first chamber disposed therein, a first outlet fordirecting sound out of said first chamber and out of said unitary blockvalve body, a second inlet for directing sound into said unitary blockvalve body and into said second chamber disposed therein, a secondoutlet for directing sound out of said second chamber and out of saidunitary block valve body, and passageway means disposed in said unitaryblock valve body connecting said first and second chambers to providefor the flow of sound therebetween, a first actuator assembly connectedto said first valve stem for effecting rotation of said first rotorbetween a first position providing for the flow of sound from said firstinlet through said first chamber, through said passageway means to saidsecond chamber and a second position providing for the flow of soundfrom said first inlet through said first chamber to said first outlet, asecond actuator assembly connected to said second valve stem foreffecting rotation of said second rotor between a first positionproviding for the flow of sound from said first chamber through saidpassageway means and said second chamber to said second outlet and asecond position providing for the flow of sound from said inlet throughsaid second chamber to said second outlet, said first inlet, said firstoutlet and said passageway means are spaced apart approximately 120about said first chamber, said second inlet, said second outlet, andsaid passageway means are spaced apart approximately 120 about saidsecond chamber, said first actuator assembly including a first actuatormember and a first pair of stop members, said first actuator membereffecting rotation of said first valve stem and said first rotor, saidfirst actuator member includes a stop surface thereon which is operableto engage with one of said first pair of stop members when said actuatormember is rotated in a first direction to position said first rotor insaid first position and is operable to engage with the other of saidfirst pair of stop members when said first actuator member is rotated ina second direction, opposite said first direction, to position saidfirst rotor in said second position, and said second actuator assemblyincludes a second actuator member and a second,

pair of stop members, said second actuator member effecting rotation ofsaid second valve stem and said second rotor, said second actuatormember includes a stop surface thereon which is operable to engage withone of said second pair of stop members when said second actuator memberis rotated in said first direction to position said second rotor in oneof said positions and is operable to engage with the other of saidsecond pair of stop members when said second actuator member is rotatedin said second direction to position said second rotor in the other ofsaid positions and wherein said first and second actuator assemblies areoperable to be simultaneously actuated to effect simultaneous rotationof said first and second rotors.

2. A valve for use in a musical instrument as defined in claim 1 furtherincluding first and second arcuate passageways located in said first andsecond rotors, respectively, for directing sound through said first andsecond chambers, respectively, said first and second arcuate passagewaysbeing operable to change the direction of flow of sound travelingthrough said first and second chambers, respectively, by approximately60.

3. A valve for use in a musical instrument as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid first rotor when in said first position is operable to be rotatedin said second direction to said second position and said second rotorwhen in said first position is operable to be rotated 120 in said firstdirection, opposite said second direction, to said second position.

4. A valve for use in a musical instrument as defined in claim 2 whereinthe cross-sectional area of each of said first and second arcuatepassageways is substan tially equal to the cross-sectional area of saidinlets and outlets associated with the first and second chambers tominimize acoustical distortion of sound passing through said arcuatepassageways.

5. A valve for use in a musical instrument as defined in claim 3 whereinsaid first arcuate passageway in said first rotor is operable to directsound from said first inlet to said passageway means when said firstrotor is in said first position and is operable to direct sound fromsaid first inlet to said first outlet when said rotor is rotated 120 toits second position and said second arcuate passageway in said secondrotor is operable to direct sound from said passageway means to saidsecond outlet when said second rotor is in said first position and isoperable to direct sound from said second inlet to said second outletwhen said second rotor is rotated 120 to said second position.

1. A valve for use in a musical instrument for controlling the flow ofsound through the instrument comprising, a unitary block valve body,first and second chambers adjacently located in said unitary block valvebody, a first valve stem, a first rotor mounted for rotation on saidfirst valve stem in said first chamber, a second valve stem, a secondrotor mounted for rotation on said second valve stem in said secondchamber, a first inlet for directing sound into said unitary block valvebody and into said first chamber disposed therein, a first outlet fordirecting sound out of said first chamber and out of said unitary blockvalve body, a second inlet for directing sound into said unitary blockvalve body and into said second chamber disposed therein, a secondoutlet for directing sound out of said second chamber and out of saiduniTary block valve body, and passageway means disposed in said unitaryblock valve body connecting said first and second chambers to providefor the flow of sound therebetween, a first actuator assembly connectedto said first valve stem for effecting rotation of said first rotorbetween a first position providing for the flow of sound from said firstinlet through said first chamber, through said passageway means to saidsecond chamber and a second position providing for the flow of soundfrom said first inlet through said first chamber to said first outlet, asecond actuator assembly connected to said second valve stem foreffecting rotation of said second rotor between a first positionproviding for the flow of sound from said first chamber through saidpassageway means and said second chamber to said second outlet and asecond position providing for the flow of sound from said inlet throughsaid second chamber to said second outlet, said first inlet, said firstoutlet and said passageway means are spaced apart approximately 120*about said first chamber, said second inlet, said second outlet, andsaid passageway means are spaced apart approximately 120* about saidsecond chamber, said first actuator assembly including a first actuatormember and a first pair of stop members, said first actuator membereffecting rotation of said first valve stem and said first rotor, saidfirst actuator member includes a stop surface thereon which is operableto engage with one of said first pair of stop members when said actuatormember is rotated in a first direction to position said first rotor insaid first position and is operable to engage with the other of saidfirst pair of stop members when said first actuator member is rotated ina second direction, opposite said first direction, to position saidfirst rotor in said second position, and said second actuator assemblyincludes a second actuator member and a second pair of stop members,said second actuator member effecting rotation of said second valve stemand said second rotor, said second actuator member includes a stopsurface thereon which is operable to engage with one of said second pairof stop members when said second actuator member is rotated in saidfirst direction to position said second rotor in one of said positionsand is operable to engage with the other of said second pair of stopmembers when said second actuator member is rotated in said seconddirection to position said second rotor in the other of said positionsand wherein said first and second actuator assemblies are operable to besimultaneously actuated to effect simultaneous rotation of said firstand second rotors.
 2. A valve for use in a musical instrument as definedin claim 1 further including first and second arcuate passagewayslocated in said first and second rotors, respectively, for directingsound through said first and second chambers, respectively, said firstand second arcuate passageways being operable to change the direction offlow of sound traveling through said first and second chambers,respectively, by approximately 60*.
 3. A valve for use in a musicalinstrument as defined in claim 2 wherein said first rotor when in saidfirst position is operable to be rotated 120* in said second directionto said second position and said second rotor when in said firstposition is operable to be rotated 120* in said first direction,opposite said second direction, to said second position.
 4. A valve foruse in a musical instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein thecross-sectional area of each of said first and second arcuatepassageways is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of saidinlets and outlets associated with the first and second chambers tominimize acoustical distortion of sound passing through said arcuatepassageways.
 5. A valve for use in a musical instrument as defined inclaim 3 wherein said first arcuate passageway in said first rotor isoperable to direcT sound from said first inlet to said passageway meanswhen said first rotor is in said first position and is operable todirect sound from said first inlet to said first outlet when said rotoris rotated 120* to its second position and said second arcuatepassageway in said second rotor is operable to direct sound from saidpassageway means to said second outlet when said second rotor is in saidfirst position and is operable to direct sound from said second inlet tosaid second outlet when said second rotor is rotated 120* to said secondposition.